Cooling circuit Suzuki DF115A

H All
I'm flushing the thin coolant hose on my DF115A that runs down from the top of the thermostat downwards.
When I insert water at the top of the hose, I notice it comes out 1) from the water indicator tube ('telltale') on the oil pan, but 2) also from a small opening on the starboard side of the gear case:
seems that hose from the thermostat has a split somewhere: anybody know what the exit on the gearcase is for ??

THANKS,
V.

 

Most outboards have a small drain hole on the waterpump so the water drains when the boat is stored with the motor trimmed down.